Chemical cues and genetic divergence in insects on plants: conceptual cross pollination between mutualistic and antagonistic systems

Cascading or reciprocal genetic diversification of herbivores, parasitoids, and pollinators can track chemotypic variation in host resources, and can lead to non-overlapping communities. Because plants simultaneously interact with both pollinators and herbivores, models investigating the genetic divergence of antagonistic herbivores and mutualistic pollinators should be merged in order to study how both processes interact using a common conceptual and methodological approach. We expect insects to mediate divergence in many systems, with outcomes depending on the level of pollinator or herbivore specialisation, and the relative selective pressures they impose. Applying approaches widely used to study insect pollinators, for example genomic tools and integration of behavioural, genetic and chemical data, to both pollinators and herbivores in the same system will facilitate our understanding of patterns of genetic divergence across multiple interacting species

Contrasting patterns of fig wasp communities along Mt. Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea

The fig (Moraceae) and pollinating fig wasp (Agaonidae) mutualism is best known as a model system for the study of coevolution in plant–pollinator interactions and its central role in shaping vertebrate communities in tropical forests. Figs also host myriad antagonistic parasitic fig wasps which impose costs on both partners threatening mutualism stability. Spatiotemporal variation in parasitic wasp abundance is a key factor in mitigating these effects. Because fig wasps are temperature sensitive and likely vary in their ability to traverse environmental gradients, we expect community assemblages and abundance of both pollinating and non‐pollinating fig wasps to respond to changes along an elevational gradient. In the present study, we compare the fig wasp communities and abundance of three fig species growing along the slopes of the Mount Wilhelm altitudinal gradient in Papua New Guinea. We quantified wasps from over 100 male fig trees and calculated seed set for 55 female trees along each of the species’ distribution on the transect. Our results show that the abundance of both pollinating and non‐pollinating fig wasps follow a mid‐elevation peak, consistent with fig species richness found in the same transect. The patterns, however, are different according to the host's species distribution. Seed set remained relatively constant along the gradient for all species with some decrease along higher elevations, potentially affecting connectivity along the gradient. As suggested for insects in general, temperature and habitat diversity appear to play a fundamental role in the species richness and abundance of fig wasps

Insect herbivory and herbivores of Ficus species along a rain forest elevational gradient in Papua New Guinea

Classic research on elevational gradients in plant–herbivore interactions holds that insect herbivore pressure is stronger under warmer climates of low elevations. However, recent work has questioned this paradigm, arguing that it oversimplifies the ecological complexity in which plant–insect herbivore interactions are embedded. Knowledge of antagonistic networks of plants and herbivores is however crucial for understanding the mechanisms that govern ecosystem functioning. We examined herbivore damage and insect herbivores of eight species of genus Ficus (105 saplings) and plant constitutive defensive traits of two of these species, along a rain forest elevational gradient of Mt. Wilhelm (200–2,700 m a.s.l.), in tropical Papua New Guinea. We report overall herbivore damage 2.4% of leaf area, ranging from 0.03% in Ficus endochaete at 1,700 m a.s.l. to 6.1% in F. hombroniana at 700 m a.s.l. Herbivore damage and herbivore abundances varied significantly with elevation, as well as among the tree species, and between the wet and dry season. Community‐wide herbivore damage followed a hump‐shaped pattern with the peak between 700 and 1,200 m a.s.l. and this pattern corresponded with abundance of herbivores. For two tree species surveyed in detail, we observed decreasing and hump‐shaped patterns in herbivory, in general matching the trends found in the set of plant defenses measured here. Our results imply that vegetation growing at mid‐elevations of the elevational gradient, that is at the climatically most favorable elevations where water is abundant, and temperatures still relatively warm, suffers the maximum amount of herbivorous damage which changes seasonally, reflecting the water availability

Compound specific trends of chemical defences in Ficus along an elevational gradient reflect a complex selective landscape

Elevational gradients affect the production of plant secondary metabolites through changes in both biotic and abiotic conditions. Previous studies have suggested both elevational increases and decreases in host-plant chemical defences. We analysed the correlation of alkaloids and polyphenols with elevation in a community of nine Ficus species along a continuously forested elevational gradient in Papua New Guinea. We sampled 204 insect species feeding on the leaves of these hosts and correlated their community structure to the focal compounds. Additionally, we explored species richness of folivorous mammals along the gradient. When we accounted for Ficus species identity, we found a general elevational increase in flavonoids and alkaloids. Elevational trends in non-flavonol polyphenols were less pronounced or showed non-linear correlations with elevation. Polyphenols responded more strongly to changes in temperature and humidity than alkaloids. The abundance of insect herbivores decreased with elevation, while the species richness of folivorous mammals showed an elevational increase. Insect community structure was affected mainly by alkaloid concentration and diversity. Although our results show an elevational increase in several groups of metabolites, the drivers behind these trends likely differ. Flavonoids may provide figs with protection against abiotic stressors. In contrast, alkaloids affect insect herbivores and may provide protection against mammalian herbivores and pathogens. Concurrent analysis of multiple compound groups alongside ecological data is an important approach for understanding the selective landscape that shapes plant defences

Compound Specific Trends of Chemical Defences in Ficus Along an Elevational Gradient Reflect a Complex Selective Landscape

Elevational gradients affect the production of plant secondary metabolites through changes in both biotic and abiotic conditions. Previous studies have suggested both elevational increases and decreases in host-plant chemical defences. We analysed the correlation of alkaloids and polyphenols with elevation in a community of nine Ficus species along a continuously forested elevational gradient in Papua New Guinea. We sampled 204 insect species feeding on the leaves of these hosts and correlated their community structure to the focal compounds. Additionally, we explored species richness of folivorous mammals along the gradient. When we accounted for Ficus species identity, we found a general elevational increase in flavonoids and alkaloids. Elevational trends in non-flavonol polyphenols were less pronounced or showed non-linear correlations with elevation. Polyphenols responded more strongly to changes in temperature and humidity than alkaloids. The abundance of insect herbivores decreased with elevation, while the species richness of folivorous mammals showed an elevational increase. Insect community structure was affected mainly by alkaloid concentration and diversity. Although our results show an elevational increase in several groups of metabolites, the drivers behind these trends likely differ. Flavonoids may provide figs with protection against abiotic stressors. In contrast, alkaloids affect insect herbivores and may provide protection against mammalian herbivores and pathogens. Concurrent analysis of multiple compound groups alongside ecological data is an important approach for understanding the selective landscape that shapes plant defences

Community structure of insect herbivores is driven by conservatism, escalation and divergence of defensive traits in Ficus

Escalation (macroevolutionary increase) or divergence (disparity between relatives) in trait values are two frequent outcomes of the plant-herbivore arms race. We studied the defences and caterpillars associated with 21 sympatric New Guinean figs. Herbivore generalists were concentrated on hosts with low protease and oxidative activity. The distribution of specialists correlated with phylogeny, protease and trichomes. Additionally, highly specialised Asota moths used alkaloid rich plants. The evolution of proteases was conserved, alkaloid diversity has escalated across the studied species, oxidative activity has escalated within one clade, and trichomes have diverged across the phylogeny. Herbivore specificity correlated with their response to host defences: escalating traits largely affected generalists and divergent traits specialists; but the effect of escalating traits on extreme specialists was positive. In turn, the evolution of defences in Ficus can be driven towards both escalation and divergence in individual traits, in combination providing protection against a broad spectrum of herbivores

PNG ( MS-FICUS) Fig&Wasp

We been looking directly to the evaluation of Bio-ecosystem of wasp and fig of Papua New Guine. To see and find out the relationship along transect from lowland to highland how their adaption to changes the evaluation of survive. We pre-heaps that for this research study we could find out the true of finger print of the species distribution. What we aim to find in this study is to know the finger print of species distribution across the country from one country to other country . We still working on to do lot of study to figure out the history of finger print disperse

Wpływ heksametafosforanu sodu na kinetykę flotacji naturalnej rudy talkowej

Ground high-grade ore with the d80 of 150 μm was subjected to a series of batch laboratory flotation tests, aimed at determining the natural flotation kinetics of talc mineral, using Methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) frother as the only reagent. Classical first-order flotation model was used and the flotation kinetics are interpreted using the ultimate recovery (R∞) and flotation rate constant (k). Results are then compared with the kinetics of flotation in the presence of different dosages of the frother, Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) and a mixture of SHMP and Soluble starch (SS) in various ratios. The design of experiment (DoE), evaluated using the Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for multiple factors was used to calculate the statistical significance of the individual factors on the outcomes of the flotation tests – yield of the froth product, talc concentrate grade, talc recovery and flotation kinetics of both talc and gangue minerals. The effect of SHMP on the flotation kinetics of talc and gangue minerals in terms of affecting the R∞ and k parameters is here discussed in greater detail. Although both SHMP and SHMP/SS mixture was found to improve the overall grade of the talc concentrate, this was achieved at the expense of significantly lower recoveries of the valuable mineral.Zmielona wysokowartościowa ruda o ziarnie podziałowym d80 = 150 μm została poddana serii laboratoryjnych prób flotacji, mających na celu określenie kinetyki flotacji naturalnej minerałów talku, w obec-ności jedynego środka zbierającego metylo-izobutylokarbinol (MIBC). Zastosowano klasyczny model flotacji pierwszego rzędu gdzie kinetykę flotacji interpretuje się za pomocą współczynnika uzysku R∞ i stałej szybkości flotacji (k). Wyniki porównano z kinetyką flotacji w obecności różnych dawek spieniacza, heksametafosforanu sodu (SHMP) i mieszaniny SHMP i rozpuszczalnej skrobi (SS) w różnych proporcjach. Plan eksperymentu (DoE), oceniono za pomocą analizy wariancji (ANOVA) dla wielu czynników użyto do obliczenia istotności statystycznej parametrów flotacji - wydajność produktu pianowego, zawartość talku, uzysk talku i kinetyka flotacji zarówno minerałów talku, jak i skały płonnej. Wpływ SHMP na kinetykę flotacji minerałów talku i skały płonnej na parametr R∞ i k są omówione bardziej szczegółowo. Chociaż stwierdzono, że dla obu mieszanek SHMP i SHMP / SS poprawie uległ stopień koncentracji talku odbyło się to jednak kosztem znacząco niższych wartości uzysku cennego minerału

PNG ( MS-FICUS) Fig&Wasp

We been looking directly to the evaluation of Bio-ecosystem of wasp and fig of Papua New Guine. To see and find out the relationship along transect from lowland to highland how their adaption to changes the evaluation of survive. We pre-heaps that for this research study we could find out the true of finger print of the species distribution. What we aim to find in this study is to know the finger print of species distribution across the country from one country to other country . We still working on to do lot of study to figure out the history of finger print disperse

Aktywacja alkaliczna popiołów lotnych ze spalania węgla kamiennego, wykazujących wysoką stratę prażenia, pochodzących z bieżącej działalności i ze zwałowiska

Elektrownie i elektrociepłownie stosujące węgiel jako paliwo mają istotne znaczenie jako źródła energii, choć z drugiej strony wytwarzają duże ilości popiołów lotnych ze spalania węgli. Tylko mała część tych popiołów jest użytkowana jako surowce odpadowe. Zazwyczaj popioły lotne są deponowane w osadnikach, co stwarza poważne zagrożenie środowiskowe. Możliwości zagospodarowania popiołów lotnych stwarza przede wszystkim przemysł materiałów budowlanych; tym niemniej użytkowanie popiołów lotnych z podwyższoną zawartością niespalonych cząstek węgla, co wyraża się wartością straty prażenia, jest ograniczone do popiołów wykazujących stratę prażenia 2–5% zgodnie z europejską normą EN 206-1. Dlatego też popioły lotne z wysoką zawartością niespalonych cząstek węgla są deponowane w osadnikach. Depozycja popiołów lotnych, biorąc pod uwagę także czynniki egzogeniczne i biogeniczne, powoduje zmiany składu chemicznego i fazowego popiołów, co powoduje, że możliwości ich późniejszego wykorzystania jako surowce odpadowe, jeszcze bardziej maleją. Obecnie, jedyną możliwością użytkowania popiołów lotnych wykazujących wysoką stratę prażenia, jest synteza geopolimerów. Te nowe materiały nieorganiczne są otrzymywane w wyniku reakcji nieorganicznej polikondensacji glinokrzemianów z krzemianem sodu w środowisku wysoce alkalicznym. Praca zajmuje się produkcją spoiw geopolimerowych otrzymywanych w wyniku aktywacji alkalicznej popiołów lotnych pochodzących z bieżącej działalności oraz ze zwałowiska. Popioły lotne pochodzą ze spalania węgla kamiennego w kotłach pyłowych, wykazując wysoką zawartość niespalonych cząstek węgla. Wartość straty prażenia w tych popiołach przekracza 20%. Są one aktywowane alkalicznie roztworami wodorotlenku sodowego i szkła wodnego. Analizowano zależność wytrzymałości na ściskanie syntetyzowanych geopolimerów od stosunku SiO2/Na2O, zawartości Na2O i zawartości wody. Wytrzymałość na ściskanie aktywowanych alkalicznie popiołów lotnych deponowanych (DPA) i z bieżącej działalności (FFA) wynosi odpowiednio 39,8 MPa i 46,8 MPa po 7 dniach i wzrasta z czasem.Heating plants and power stations using coal as a fuel are employed worldwide as energy sources, consequently generating large quantities of fly ashes. Only a small part of these fly ashes are used as a secondary raw material. Most commonly, fly ash is deposited at sludge bed where it poses substantial ecological risks. Possibilities of utilizing fly ashes are mainly found in the construction industry; however, utilization of fly ash with a high content of unburned coal residues, expressed by loss on ignition (LOI), is limited to 2–5% LOI by the European standard STN EN 206-1. That is why fly ash with a high content of unburned coal residues is deposited at sludge bed. Fly ash deposition, hand in hand with exogenous and biogenous factors, changes the chemical and phase composition of fly ashes so the possibility for their further utilization as a secondary raw material is evenmore diminished. Currently, one possibility for the use of high-LOI fly ashes is in the synthesis of geopolymers. These new materials are inorganic materials obtained from an inorganic polycondensation reaction of solid aluminosilicates with sodium silicate solution in a highly alkaline environment. This paper deals with the production of geopolymer binders from the alkaline activation of fresh and deposited fly ash. The fly ashes originated from black coal fired in melting boilers, and have a high content of unburned coal residues. Content of LOI in both fly ashes exceeds 20%. The fly ashes are alkali activated with solutions containing sodium hydroxide and sodium waterglass. The analysis examines the effects of the SiO2-to-Na2O ratio, Na2O, as well as the water content in the synthesis of fly ash-based geopolymers on their compressive strength. The compressive strength of alkali-activated, deposited fly ash (DPA) and fresh fly ash (FFA) were 39.8MPa and 46.8MPa after 7 days, respectively. Their compressive strength increased with time